In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the industry, Film Movement is the latest org to shift its focus online. The distributor is teaming up with Art House Convergence and indie movie theaters across the country to “offer consumers a virtual theatrical experience with current first-run releases and newly-restored classics,” a press release has announced. Via Film Movement’s streaming platform, Film Movement Plus, “movie exhibitors will have the opportunity to open their virtual doors and invite their patrons to rent new theatrical releases they’d otherwise be enjoying in their local art house theaters.”
Crime drama “The Wild Goose Lake,” which opened theatrically March 6, and 1978 sex comedy “Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands” are among the films available through the Film Movement Plus – Virtual Cinema initiative. More titles will be announced in the coming weeks.
Virtual tickets for these offerings cost $12 USD. Exhibitors will receive 50 percent of sales.
“With the film industry being besieged on all sides by this global pandemic, we needed to implement a platform that would give film lovers a way to enjoy our releases while still supporting their local movie theaters,” said Michael Rosenberg, President of Film Movement. “Through our streaming platform, we were able to offer a solution that would allow audiences to watch films from the comfort and safety of their homes, while still helping to bolster the business of our movie theater partners who are now, unfortunately, dealing with the complete shutdown of the exhibition industry.”
“This partnership, which will sustain the public’s access to international and art house cinema, also helps protect the theatrical experience so that theaters can continue to serve us in the future,” added Alison Kozberg, Managing Director of Art House Convergence. “Social distancing is imperative now, but after it concludes we are going to need art and cinema in our lives and projects like this one insure that the independent sector can continue and thrive.”
These are the theaters that are participating in the Film Movement Plus – Virtual Cinema initiative so far, courtesy of Film Movement.
a/perture cinema (Winston Salem)
Alamo Winchester Film Club (VA)
Ambler Theater (PA)
BAM Rose Cinema (Brooklyn)
County Theater (Doylestown, PA)
Digital Gym Cinema (San Diego)
Gene Siskel Film Center (Chicago)
Hiway Theater (Jenkintown, PA)
Jacob Burns Film Center (Pleasantville, NY)
Princeton Garden Theater (NJ)
Row House Cinema (Pittsburgh)
SBIFF Riviera Theater (Santa Barbara)
SIE Film Center (Denver)
The Loft Cinema (Tucson)
The Normal Cinema (IL)
The Texas Theater (Dallas)
VIFF Vancity Theater (Vancouver)
Violet Crown Cinemas (Austin, Santa Fe, Charlottesville)
